3 How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried
(for mercy)- when there was no longer time for being saved!

4 So they wonder that a Warner has come to them from among themselves!
and the Unbelievers say, "This is a sorcerer telling lies!

5 "Has he made the gods (all) into one God? Truly this is a wonderful thing!"

6 And the leader among them go away (impatiently), (saying), "Walk ye
away, and remain constant to your gods! For this is truly a thing designed (against
you)!

7 "We never heard (the like) of this among the people of these latter days: this
is nothing but a made-up tale!"

8 "What! has the Message been sent to him - (Of all persons) among us?"...but
they are in doubt concerning My (Own) Message! Nay, they have not yet tasted My
Punishment!

9 Or have they the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord,- the Exalted in Power,
the Grantor of Bounties without measure?

10 Or have they the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all between? If
so, let them mount up with the ropes and means (to reach that end)!

11 But there - will be put to flight even a host of confederates.

12 Before them (were many who) rejected apostles,- the people of Noah, and
'Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,

13 And Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; -
such were the Confederates.

14 Not one (of them) but rejected the apostles, but My punishment came justly
and inevitably (on them).

15 These (today) only wait for a single mighty Blast, which (when it comes)
will brook no delay.

16 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of
Account!"

17 Have patience at what they say, and remember our servant David, the man
of strength: for he ever turned (to God).

18 It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at
eventide and at break of day,

19 And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to God).

20 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in
speech and decision.

21 Has the Story of the Disputants reached thee? Behold, they climbed over the
wall of the private chamber;

22 When they entered the presence of David, and he was terrified of them, they
said: "Fear not: we are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: Decide
now between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, but guide us to the even
Path..

23 "This man is my brother: He has nine and ninety ewes, and I have (but) one:
Yet he says, 'commit her to my care,' and is (moreover) harsh to me in speech."

24 (David) said: "He has undoubtedly wronged thee in demanding thy (single)
ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: truly many are the partners (in business) who
wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and
how few are they?"...and David gathered that We had tried him: he asked forgiveness
of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration), and turned (to God in repentance).

25 So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us,
and a beautiful place of (Final) Return.

26 O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth: so judge thou
between men in truth (and justice): Nor follow thou the lusts (of thy heart), for they
will mislead thee from the Path of God: for those who wander astray from the Path of
God, is a Penalty Grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account.

27 Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that
were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of
Hell)!

28 Shall We treat those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, the same
as those who do mischief on earth? Shall We treat those who guard against evil, the
same as those who turn aside from the right?

29 (Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that
they may mediate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive
admonition.

30 To David We gave Solomon (for a son),- How excellent in Our service!
Ever did he turn (to Us)!

31 Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide coursers of the highest
breeding, and swift of foot;

32 And he said, "Truly do I love the love of good, with a view to the glory of
my Lord,"- until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of night):

33 "Bring them back to me." then began he to pass his hand over (their) legs
and their necks.

34 And We did try Solomon: We placed on his throne a body (without life); but
he did turn (to Us in true devotion):

35 He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom which, (it may
be), suits not another after me: for Thou art the Grantor of Bounties (without
measure).

36 Then We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order,
Whithersoever he willed,-

37 As also the evil ones, (including) every kind of builder and diver,-

38 As also others bound together in fetters.

39 "Such are Our Bounties: whether thou bestow them (on others) or withhold
them, no account will be asked."

40 And he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful Place of
(Final) Return.

41 Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One
has afflicted me with distress and suffering!"

42 (The command was given:) "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink."C

43 And We gave him (back) his people, and doubled their number,- as a Grace
from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have Understanding.

44 "And take in thy hand a little grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy
oath)." Truly We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in Our
service! ever did he turn (to Us)!

45 And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of
Power and Vision.

46 Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose)- proclaiming the
Message of the Hereafter.

47 They were, in Our sight, truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.

48 And commemorate Isma'il, Elisha, and Zul-Kifl: Each of them was of the
Company of the Good.

49 This is a Message (of admonition): and verily, for the righteous, is a
beautiful Place of (Final) Return,-

50 Gardens of Eternity, whose doors will (ever) be open to them;

51 Therein will they recline (at ease): Therein can they call (at pleasure) for
fruit in abundance, and (delicious) drink;

52 And beside them will be chaste women restraining their glances,
(companions) of equal age.

53 Such is the Promise made, to you for the Day of Account!

54 Truly such will be Our Bounty (to you); it will never fail;-

55 Yea, such! but - for the wrong-doers will be an evil place of (Final) Return!-